I woke earlier than usual. No reason. Just that weird heaviness pressing on my head like I’d slept with a textbook on my face. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and reached for the cup of water on my nightstand. Geneva was still knocked out, mouth open, snoring like she was trying to summon a demon. Nothing new.
I needed air.
So I got up, walked to the door, unlocked it, and pulled it open.
And froze.
Damien Ross.
On the floor.
Outside my room.
Asleep.
For a full second, my brain didn’t register what I was seeing. He was slumped against the wall, legs stretched out, arms loose at his sides, head tilted like the wall had been acting as his pillow all night. His breathing was slow. A little too slow.
My stomach dropped.
“Damien?” I whispered.
No reaction.
That was not reassuring.
I step
